System and method utilizing virtual switching for electrical panel metering

ABSTRACT

A system and method utilizing virtual switching in an electrical panel meter. The virtual switching enables the meter to be upgraded or downgraded through a switching signal, by activating or deactivating the metering functions that are to be performed in the meter. Accordingly, when the upgrade or downgrade is necessary, the meter does not have to be replaced.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an electrical meter, and morespecifically to a system and method utilizing virtual switching in anelectrical panel meter.

2. Description of the Related Art

Traditionally, engineering people would populate substation electricalpanels with discreet panel meters that were analog in nature and basedon a needle. As metering technology progressed, these discreet panelmeters became digitally based. Additionally, meters that started assingle function instruments have progressed to being multifunctioninstruments.

A problem occurring in the prior art is that most meters with multiplefeatures have a higher cost, and if a sufficient budget is not availableat the time of the purchase, a lower and simpler meter is installed.Further, at a later date, a customer (or user) wishing to receive morefunctions from their meter would have to remove the meter, i.e., eitherreplace it for higher featured unit, or send the meter away for anupgrade. This is often costly because it requires shutdowns of thedevices/systems being metered and changes to the wiring of a panel.Moreover, in critical applications such as hospitals, data centers, orpower plants, these shutdowns are often impossible.

Accordingly, there is a need in the market for a cost efficientmultifunction meter capable of providing selected metering functionswithout requiring a user to shutdown operations and reconfigure panelwiring.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, as object of the present invention to provide a systemand method utilizing virtual switching for electrical panel metering.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a businessmethod utilizing virtual switching for electrical panel metering.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the above andother objects of the present invention are provided by an electricalmetering device capable of performing multiple metering functionscomprising: a virtual switching unit including a plurality of virtualswitches for selectively activating and deactivating the virtualswitches according to a received switching signal; and a functionoperating unit for performing the multiple metering functions that areactivated by the virtual switches.

According to another aspect of the present invention a method ofperforming multiple metering functions comprises: selectively activatingand deactivating virtual switches according to a received switchingsignal; and performing the multiple metering functions that areactivated by the virtual switches.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention a method forproviding meter service comprises: providing a user with a meter that iscapable of performing multiple metering functions; activating anddeactivating virtual switches included in the meter according to areceived switching signal; and charging the user based upon a number ofthe multiple metering functions that are activated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription when taken in conjunction with the following drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a panel meter including virtualswitches according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of the virtual switch unit of FIG.1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling the virtualswitches according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operation of a panelmeter including virtual switches according to a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described indetail herein below with reference to the annexed drawings. In thefollowing description, a detailed description of known functions andconfigurations incorporated herein has been omitted for conciseness.

The virtual switch technology utilizes the benefit of the microprocessorto separate features based on functions so that a single meter, whichhas the capabilities to perform multiple metering functions, such asmeasuring voltage, current, watts, vars, frequency, power, watt-hours,var/hours, demand, harmonics, etc., can be purchased at a pricecorresponding to a basic metering device including a users immediatemetering needs. This meter, after being installed, can be upgraded ordowngraded by enabling or disabling any of the multiple functions,without having to replace the meter itself.

For example, a user will install a meter that will only measure voltageand current used by a system. However, over time, as the system isupgraded, a user must measure more electrical characteristics of thesystem. Therefore the user must upgrade the meter. As described above,in a conventional metering device, the user would have to replace themeter or at least have the meter removed in order to be upgraded.However, in the meter according to the present invention, the user cansimply upgrade the current meter by virtually switching on the newmetering function, which is already included in the meter.

The present invention provides a more cost efficient product to a userin that the user in that a user can either initially purchase thismultifunction meter with the capabilities of performing all possiblemetering functions, or the user may purchase the meter, only paying forthe desired metering functions that the user wishes to receive at thatthe present time. In the latter situation, when the user wished toupgrade the metering capabilities, rather than have to replace theexisting meter, the user can pay the meter provider to virtually switchon the desired metering functions, thereby upgrading the meteringservice without having to replace the meter.

Accordingly, it is also possible that a user could save money bydowngrading a meter through virtual switching, during which the userwould have a metering function disabled. The user would then stop payingfor that specific metering function.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a panel meter 10 including virtualswitches according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.The meter 10 is a multifunction device capable of circuit monitoring formain feeds, branch circuits, gensets and equipment and may replace allindividual single and multi-function meters and transducers.Accordingly, the meter 10 can be used for utility submetering, tenantmetering, substation automation, generator monitoring and the like.Among numerous functions, the meter 10 can provide complete access toall voltage, current, and power values through an easy use of displayand through the TCP/IP Ethernet LAN, WAN and/or Internet. The functionsperformed by the meter may include, among others, measuring watts, vars,frequency, power, watt-hours, var/hours, demand, harmonics, etc.

Referring to FIG. 1, the inventive meter 10 is configured with voltageand current inputs 18, a processor 12, a memory (or storage device) 24,and a display 22. The voltage and current inputs 18, which a providedfrom the metered system, are transmitted to the processor 12, whichcontrols the desired metering functions of the input signals 18. Themetering results are then stored in the memory 24 and can be displayedon the display 22.

More specifically, the processor 12 comprises a virtual switching unit14 and a function operation unit 20. The virtual switching unit 14controls which functions are performed in the function operation unit20, based on a switching signal 16. In a preferred embodiment, the inputsignal 16 may include a unique code based on the unique serial number ofthe device 10 and assigned to a particular one of the multiplefunctions, which are stored in a function operating unit 20 of themicroprocessor 12. As described above, the function operation unit 20 iscapable of performing multiple metering functions, such as measuringvoltage, current, watts, vars, frequency, power, watt-hours, var/hours,demand, harmonics, etc.

FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of the virtual switch unit 14 ofFIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 1A, the virtual switch unit 14 includes aplurality of virtual switches that correspond to each available meteringfunction. For example, in FIG. 1A, the virtual switch unit 14 includesvirtual switches S₁, S₂, S₃, . . . , S_(n) that correspond to eachavailable metering function F₁, F₂, F₃, . . . , F_(n). When theswitching signal indicates that functions F₁. and F₃ should beactivated, switches S₁and S₃ are closed, thereby allowing the functionoperation unit 20 to perform functions F₁, and F₃.

Alternatively, if all the functions F₁, F₂, F₃, . . . , F_(n) arecurrently being used and the switching signal indicates that functionsF₁, and F₃ should be deactivated, switches S₁ and S₃ are opened, therebydisabling the function operation unit 20 to perform functions F₁, andF₃.

Note that the virtual switch does not have to be necessarily implementedas hardware, but can be realized by software. Advantageously, themicroprocessor can be provided with software, which is operative to“turn on” the desired function. As such, the software operates as avirtual switch unit 14 coupled to the function-operating unit 20.

Once a new function or operation is activated, the consumer may read itsdescription on a display 22 that can be configured as a touch screenillustrating all of the activated functions.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling the virtualswitches according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.As indicated above, the virtual switches are controlled by a switchingsignal. The switching signal can be generated by the user or by aservice provider, i.e., the supplier of the meter. Additionally, theswitching signal can be generated directly in the meter itself, using inan input device such as a key pad or touch screen, or generated at anoutside source and transmitted to the meter via the internet, telephonelines, dedicated control lines, wireless transmission, etc.

Referring to FIG. 2, a user with authorization to change the meteringfunctions enters a setup mode in step 101. Upon entry into the setupmode, preferably a list of all available functions is present to theuser in step 102. In step 103, the user enables or disables the desiredfunction or functions from the list, and generates the switch signal instep 104. In step 105, the switch signal is sent to the processor in themeter, and the corresponding functions are activated or deactivatedthrough virtual switching.

In a preferred embodiment, the switching signal uses an encryptionalgorithm based on the serial number of the meter to allow the user toenter a unique code for changing the adding feature to the product.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operation of a panelmeter including virtual switches according to a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, in step 201 the meterreceives the input signals. In step 202, it is determined whether afirst metering function is activated (or enabled). If the first meteringfunction is activated, the first metering function is performed in step203, and the result are stored and can be displayed in step 208.

If the first metering function is not activated in step 202 or after thefirst metering function is performed in step 203, it is determinedwhether a second metering function is activated (or enabled) in step204. If the second metering function is activated, the second meteringfunction is performed in step 205, and the result are stored and can bedisplayed in step 208.

As is illustrated in FIG. 3, the method can be performed for N differentfunctions. Therefore, if the second metering function is not activatedin step 204 or after the second metering function is performed in step205, it is determined whether an Nth metering function is activated (orenabled) in step 206. If the Nth metering function is activated, the Nthmetering function is performed in step 207, and the result are storedand can be displayed in step 208.

Accordingly, a meter utilizing virtual switching according to thepresent invention is highly advantageous because of the following:

1. Meters can be installed in a cost-efficient manner and upgradedlater;

2. Maintenance of the inventive meters is also cost-efficient sincethere is no need to replace originally installed meters with new andmore expensive ones;

3. Manufacturability of the meters is more efficient since fewer typesof meters are needed; and

4. The customer is capable of maximizing capital budgets.

While the present invention has been shown and described with referenceto a certain preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details, maybe made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

1-26. (canceled)
 27. A system for providing metering service comprising:at least one electrical metering device for controlling multiplemetering functions coupled to a network, the electrical metering deviceincluding: a function operating unit storing the multiple meteringfunctions; and a virtual switching unit including a plurality of virtualswitches, each virtual switch corresponding to each available meteringfunction for selectively activating and deactivating the correspondingmetering function, wherein the virtual switching unit is configured forreceiving a single switching signal indicating which of at least two ofthe available metering functions are to be activated and activating ordeactivating the corresponding virtual switches; and a service providercoupled to the network for generating the single switching signal. 28.The system of claim 27, wherein the at least one metering device furthercomprising: a memory for storing readings of the multiple meteringfunctions; and a display for displaying the readings of the multiplemetering functions.
 29. The system of claim 28, wherein the displaycomprises a touch screen.
 30. The system of claim 27, wherein thevirtual switching unit is provided with software operative toselectively active and deactivate the multiple metering functions inresponse to the single switching signal.
 31. The system of claim 27,wherein the virtual switching unit is provided with hardware operativeto selectively active and deactivate the multiple metering functions inresponse to the single switching signal.
 32. The system of claim 27,wherein the multiple metering functions are selected from the groupconsisting of measuring voltage, current, vars, frequency, power,watt-hours, vars/hours, demand, harmonics and a combination thereof. 33.The system of claim 27, wherein the single switching signal istransmitted to the device via one of the internet, a telephone line, adirect communication line, and wireless transmission.
 34. The system ofclaim 27, wherein the single switching signal is transmitted to thedevice via TCP/IP.
 35. The system of claim 27, wherein the singleswitching signal includes a unique code associated with the device. 36.The system of claim 35, wherein the unique code is generated by anencryption algorithm based on a serial number of the at least onemetering device.
 37. The system of claim 27, further comprising an inputdevice configured to select the at least two available meteringfunctions, wherein the single switching signal is generated by thedevice based on the selected at least two available metering functions.38. The system of claim 27, wherein the service provider is configuredto generate the single switching signal in response to a request fromthe at least one metering device.
 39. The system of claim 38, whereinthe metering device further comprises a display configured forpresenting a list of available metering functions and an input deviceconfigured for enabling or disabling the at least two available meteringfunctions, wherein the request is generated based on the enabled ordisabled at least two available metering functions.
 40. The system ofclaim 39, wherein the input device is a touchscreen or keypad.
 41. In anelectrical metering system including at least one metering deviceincluding a function unit storing multiple metering functions and avirtual switching unit including a plurality of virtual switches, eachvirtual switch corresponding to each available metering function forselectively activating and deactivating the corresponding meteringfunction and a service provider for configuring the at least onemetering device, a method of upgrading the at least one metering devicecomprising: presenting a list of available metering functions on adisplay of the at least one meter; enabling or disabling at least twoavailable metering functions from the presented list and sending theenabled at least two available metering functions to the serviceprovider; generating a single switch signal at the service provider foractivating each virtual switch corresponding to each enabled meteringfunction and deactivating each virtual switch corresponding to eachdisabled metering function; and receiving the single switch signal bythe virtual switching unit of the at least one metering unit;determining which of the at least two available metering functions isenabled or disabled; and selectively activating each virtual switchcorresponding to each enabled metering function and deactivating eachvirtual switch corresponding to each disabled metering function.
 42. Themethod of claim 41, further comprising charging a user based on a numberof the multiple metering functions that are enabled.
 43. The method ofclaim 41, wherein the metering device further comprises a displayconfigured for presenting the list and an input device configured forenabling or disabling the at least two available metering functions,wherein the single switch signal is generated in the metering device.44. The method of claim 41, further comprising: storing readings of themultiple metering functions; and displaying the readings of the multiplemetering functions.
 45. The method of claim 41, wherein the singleswitch signal is transmitted to the at least one metering device via oneof the Ethernet and wireless transmission.
 46. The method of claim 41,wherein the single switch signal is transmitted to the at least onemetering device via TCP/IP.
 47. The method of claim 41, wherein themultiple metering functions are selected from the group consisting ofmeasuring voltage, current, vars, frequency, power, watt-hours,vars/hours, demand, harmonics and a combination thereof.
 48. The methodof claim 41, wherein the single switching signal includes a unique codeassociated with the at least one metering device.
 49. The method ofclaim 48, wherein the unique code is generated by an encryptionalgorithm based on a serial number of the at least one metering device.